It had been another exhausting day for Monica. She dragged herself up the front steps and opened the door. Her children were running around and screaming.
"Jack ! Erica! It is way past your bed time and Mommy's not in the mood." she yelled.
"But Mommy ." Erica whined.
"No buts bed now!" Monica pointed at the stairs. "March." The two Bing children marched up the stairs obediently.
"Chandler! Why in the hell were those children up?" she cursed.
"Ah Mon, maybe it was my fault ." a familiar voice cried. "How you doin?"
"Joey!" she squealed as she ran into the man's arms. She put her arms around her friends' neck. "When did you get in?" she asked.
"A couple of hours ago. I was in town for an audition and thought I would come visit my pal and his family." Joey explained. "I hear things are pretty rough right now for you guys."
"Yeah I spend my day at the hospital . I wake up and go when it's still dark and come home to the dark." Monica said bitterly.
"Hi honey, sorry about the kids," Chandler said as he put his arms around his wife. "How is she today?"
"Well her hair is starting to fall out now and she can't stand to have me near her." Monica said.
"That can't be so , Mon, you are her daughter." assured Joey. "She loves you very much."
"She would much rather have her little boy there than me." Monica started to sob. Chandler saw her and ran to her arms. "What am I doing right now Chandler? What have I done so damn wrong?""
"Monica , you're tired and exhausted. She does not hate you." Chandler said as he stroked her back.
"Yeah Mon, you are always at the hospital and near her." Joey said .
"I know I am, and I know this much, Ross hasn't accepted it yet. He just seems to think this is all going to blow over. It may, but we have also got to face the facts, she may actually die. I may lose my mother and she will continue to think of me as a failure." Monica said.
"Monica you are not a failure." Joey exclaimed. "You are a terrific cook, and a great mother, and a great wife to my friend. Besides that you are hot."
"Joey, what are you saying?" yelled Chandler.
"Sorry I was just saying that to make her feel better." Joey said.
"You don't go around telling your best friend's wife she is hot." scorned Chandler.
"That would explain why Ross got so mad last time I was in town." Joey reasoned.
Monica walked over with her tear stained eyes. She put her arms around Joey.
"I know what you are doing and thank you." she smiled.
"Relax Mon, maybe you shouldn't go to the hospital tomorrow." Chandler suggested. "In fact, I insist you don't. We'll do whatever you want." he smiled.
"And so you guys can be alone, after I go to my audition I will go see the guys in the city." Joey added.
"Monica you need a break." Chandler said.
"Hey !" Joey said defensively.
"Relax Joe, I can say it." Chandler said. "It's Ross that's never allowed to say that word again."
"Oh ok, well I am going up to my Joey room now, so I will see you guys later ok?" Joey said as he ambled up the stairs.
"I feel better that Joey is here. It feels like I have my whole family here now." Monica said.
"These guys are your family Mon, they are as much family to you as me, the kids, your parents, or Ross and Rachel."
"I know and I hate what this is doing to me and Ross. I just feel that once again I am a teenager trying to get Mommy and Daddy's approval and the honor student gets it." Monica said as she chewed on a piece of candy.
"It was really bad when you guys were kids?" asked Chandler.
"Yeah, that was when I started to gain weight." Monica admitted.
"Oh well Mon, you've got me." Chandler said.
